What is mahjong?

WHAT IS MAHJONG

An intrinsic part of the Chinese culture, Mahjong has been around for centuries and settling down in various parts of the globe as the world formed. One of the oldest games known to mankind, Mahjong has evolved today to suit the tastes of the modern Chinese while keeping its roots intact. A witness to all major happenings of the Chinese from the birth of a baby to weddings to Chinese New Year - the Chinese are passionate about their game. Call it Mahjong, Ma Jong, Mah Jong, MahJongg, Ma Diao, Ma Cheuk, MahCheuck, Baak Ling, or Pung Chow – for the true Chinese, the brain game is as vital as the beating heart!

Usually played with 144tiles bearing Chinese characters and symbols, there are a lot of regional variations to the rules and structure of the game. Most variations however commonly have 4 players bearing 13 tiles each, whereby players draw and discard tiles until they achieve a legal hand using the fourteenth drawn tile to form four melds and a head. Use of simples and honours, the scoring system, order of dealing and play vary slightly according to the form of game.